Frequently Asked QuestionsAbout Hiring Burlesque

Zyra Lee Vanity

Burlesque has made a resurgence in the past decade and we couldn't be more excited to bring this unique and opulent art form to our clients! If you've never experienced burlesque before, you're in for a real treat!

What is Burlesque?Burlesque is a nearly 150 year old performance art form that utilizes satire, parody and caricature. It is often performed in a variety show or cabaret format in bars, clubs, lounges and speakeasies. It is a highly theatrical, sometimes multi disciplinary performance that often plays off ideas of gender, identity, sensuality and sexually. It is common for burlesque to incorporate elements of striptease and nudity.

Nudity? How is it different from stripping?Burlesque and stripping hold some similar aspects, but their main difference is what part of the performance is emphasized. While stripping tends to emphasize overt sexuality and nudity, burlesque tends to emphasize the tease (ways in which clothing is removed and the time it takes to do so) and sensuality. ​Are there different kinds of teases?Yes! There are three different types of teases:Cabaret: The performer will stay mostly clothed, only removing superficial articles of clothing such as boas, furs, or gloves.Boston: The performer will remove clothing down to the equivalent of a bikini, or a shimmy set (a bikini covered in fringe). Full Reveal: The performer will remove clothing down to nipple pasties and a g-string.

Thrasher

What's a gimmick?A gimmick is an aspect of a performer or a performance that makes it notable or unique. They can range from specific talents (like singing, dancing or circus arts), to props (boas, feather fans, large props), to costumes or specific aesthetics.

Are there different types of burlesque?Absolutely! There is a burlesque flavour for every taste. Most people associate burlesque with what's known as Classic Burlesque, fitting vintage trends and aesthetics. There is also Neo (Contemporary) Burlesque, Nerdlesque, Boylesque, Gorelesque... and a number of burlesque performances that may not even fit a specific category.

How do I hire a burlesque performer?If you don't have the name of a specific performer in mind, it helps to have specific references for the kind of burlesque performance you'd like to see. Feel free to use movies, television, theatre or celebrities in your descriptions. We can then give suggestions to which performers from our personal roster and their work best fit your needs. If there are no specific pre-made acts available, you can select a performer from our roster to create a custom burlesque act for your event!​How long is an act? How much does it cost?Burlesque acts tend to be anywhere from 3 to 7 minutes, depending on the act and the content. The cost of the act depends on the performer and the demands of the act. Pricing includes the labour, intellectual content of the performer, costuming, travel costs (if any), and the performer's handler. Pricing for pre-existing acts start at $450. Pricing for custom acts begin at $750.

Bianca Boom Boom

What else can a burlesque performer do?For an additional fee our burlesque performers are available to greet and interact with the guests at your event. They are also available for gogo sets in either a contemporary or vintage style. Select burlesque performers are also available to teach 30min, 45min, or 1 hour burlesque dance workshops!

How much time before my event should I take to book a burlesque artist?For pre-existing acts performers can be booked no later one week in advance. For custom acts, we recommend booking a performer 3-5 weeks in advance.

What is expected of me when the burlesque performer arrives?Our list of expectations is simple and minimal:- We ask for the contact information of the available person who will greet the performer and their handler on their arrival. Ideally this person will be one whom the handler will speak to if there are any questions about the event on the day of. The handler should be introduced to the DJ/sound technician to sort through cuing the performer's music. - We request that the performer's holding area be separate from any guest/public traffic, private enough for them to change, secure enough for them to leave their personal belongings while they perform, and have access to a washroom either in the holding area or in close proximity. We also ask that this holding area have access to drinkable water. - We ask that you maintain a safe and respectable space for the performer during their time with you. Inappropriate language or conversation, intimidation, propositions, sexual harassment, lewd behaviour and assault will NOT be tolerated. Our performer maintains the right to refuse or cease work if they feel threat of personal or physical safety at no expense to the company. - Remaining payment to the company for services rendered must be ready and available upon completion of services and handed to the handler before their departure from the event.

Can I take pictures or video the performer I've hired?We ask that you consult with the performer on the day of to see if they are comfortable with their image being captured. Some performers prefer to keep their state of undress strictly for their live viewing audience, and we ask that you respect the wishes and comfort of our performers. If the performer gives you the ok to capture, be sure that you're tagging High Society Cabaret in your posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as the performer. You can also feel free to use our hashtags #highsocietycabaret or #vintagetease

​Have a question we didn't cover? We want to hear it! Send us a message and Contact Us!​​